Tenley has been asking for a bike for months. Specifically a pink bike with training wheels and a princess helmet. I told her that maybe, just maybe, if she were good enough the Easter Bunny would bring her one. I made sure she understood that to get a gift bigger than your actual basket you must be on your best behavior all the time. Apparently the Easter Bunny thought all of the kids were good because they all got bikes in addition to their usually too full Easter baskets:
I thought I was recording when the kids walked out and found their bikes, but I wasn't and I'm so bummed because they were so excited with everything:
Of course, they all had to test out their new bikes right away:
After being spoiled by the Easter Bunny (a.k.a. mommy, daddy, and 2 sets of grandparents), we got dressed and headed to church. It's been forever since we've been to church because I honestly couldn't muster up the courage to take all three kids. Since my in-laws were here we met them at church and it was so nice to not be outnumbered. The message at mass was about 'your finest hour' and the moments that define you. The priest talked about how we need to surrender ourselves and give our all to the people around us, just as Jesus did, and it hit home for me. I thought about the ways I could do better for the people around me and it was a reminder of how I need to refocus myself...take care of my kids, husband, family, friends and myself as best as I can.
The kids were feeling really photogenic after mass (or just happy to be able to move around) and we quickly snapped some adorable pics of everyone:
As soon as we walked into the house the kids had to show Grammy and Pop Pop their new rides:
Grammy brought the kids Easter presents from GiGi and great-grandpa Ed and they loved them all! Wes and Tenley loved the Mickey golf set, but I especially loved 'The Littlest Bunny From Ohio' book. It was so cute and all the talk about the Easter Bunny in Ohio really tugged on my heartstrings; such a special book that I know they'll cherish forever:
(Thanks so much GiGi and grandpa Ed! We love you both!)
Grammy played with the kids and read them stories while I made deviled eggs and the most delicious carrot cake with cream cheese frosting:
After lots of games of hide-n-seek with Pop Pop, the twins went down for their naps easily, especially Wes:
While the kids napped, we got everything ready for our first annual Easter shin-dig. We had so much good food...honey baked ham, Ed's pierogies, mom's italian meat pie, Lind's corn, deviled eggs, rolls, salad, Rie's chicken salad, carrot cake, Sandi's brownies, Lind's cake pops and bunny bait that the kids made:
One of my favorite childhood memories is my Aunt Donna's Easter Egg Hunts with Bunny Big Ears as the big prize. Since we can't be there, I had to duplicate it. I stuffed eggs with candy, money, numbers with matching toy prizes and a coveted star for Bunny Big Ears. Linds and I scattered the eggs and hid Bunny Big Ears especially hard. The kids loved collecting eggs and taking breaks in the bounce house:
Bunny Big Ears was the last egg to be found, go figure, and the lucky winner was Wessie Boy:
The girls were super excited to finish and sort their winnings:
Ev, the loner, was just excited to have won a few quarters for her piggy bank:
Once all the prizes were handed out, the kids played in the backyard while we warmed up the food:
After an amazing and filling dinner, the kids continued to play hard outside while the adults played corn hole:
This was our first Easter in Vegas that truly felt like Easter...only took 11 years! Maybe it was the start of Bunny Big Ears (in Vegas) or maybe it was the awesome food everyone brought. Actually, I know it was perfect because we were surrounded by family; which is truly the greatest gift of all!
I hope everyone had a blessed Easter! :)
